Senators stand behind Bush on Iran interests section
Washington, 25 July (IranVNC)—A group of US senators have sent a letter of congressional support for the Bush administration’s consideration of opening an interest section in Iran.
By: IranVNC
Published: Friday, July 25, 2008
12:05GMT—8:05AM/EST
CONGRESS – IRAN – BUSH – DIPLOMACY
Washington, 25 July (IranVNC)—A group of US senators have sent a letter of congressional support for the Bush administration’s consideration of opening an interest section in Iran.
“We know that a hands-off approach has isolated us and strengthened Iran,” said Democratic Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts. “The Administration’s decision to reverse course and join direct talks with Tehran is the right one, however late.”
Senator Kerry is joined in the letter to the President by Democratic Senators Carl Levin (Mich.), Partick Leahy (Vt.), Russ Feingold (Wisc.), Dick Durbin (Ill.), Dianne Feinstein (Calif.), and Patty Murray (Wash.).
In the letter, the Senators express their support for the president’s decision to have the U.S. join Europe at the forefront of the diplomatic process with Iran.
It reads: “By establishing direct contact with the people of Iran, facilitating their travel to America, and increasing our understanding of Iran’s complicated domestic politics, this initiative will advance our national interests.”
The senators go on to laud the administration’s decision to send Under Secretary of State William Burns to Geneva to join the talks on Iran’s nuclear ambitions, saying the move “will send a positive message to the Iranian people and the international community about our intentions and enhance our ability to apply greater pressure on the Iranian government.”
Closing their letter with recognizing that “this initiative alone will not resolve our profound disagreements with Iran’s leaders,” the senators said they looked forward to working with the administration on, what they believe, is a “step in the right direction” in dealing with Iran.
Sources: Senator Patty Murray’s website
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